PAPERS REEATING TO THE SIX NATIONS.
287
SIR WM. JOHNSON TO REVD MR. KIRTLAND,
DEMANDING A COPY OF HIS REPORT TO THE BOSTON COMMITTEE.
Johnson hall Augt 22 d 1771.
Sir, I have just received a Letter from Gov 1 ' Hutchinson inclosing some papers from the Committee at Boston for propagating Christ" faith, they relate to a Journal you have lately transmittedto them, The particulars of which are not ment d I must desire to know from you what was theoccasion of your Writing, & that you will send me the whole particulars as I am given to under-stand, that it contained some Representations, that regard me. It is necessary that I should havethe whole of this matter from yourself without delay.
I am, Sir,
The Rev d M r Kirtland.
Johnson hall Sept r 10 111 1771.
Good Sir, On my return from a Spring back of Schenectaday which has lately been discovered,I was favored with your kind Letter inclosing Bishop Lowtlf s Sermon, & the Abstract for which Ikindly thank you.
As I believe I must acknowledge the Compliment therein as Intended for me, I am bound inGratitude to declare to you my obligation to that Worthy Prelate for the Distinguished honor hehas conferred on my little endeavors in his excellent Discourse before so Worthy & respectablean audience.
I can affirm with Truth that besides my own heartfelt Satisfaction I have no motive, or occasionto Spurr my Inclinations than thereby to acquire the friendship of those Worthy Characters bywhom it is an honor to be Esteemed & I am only concerned that with such Inclinations I havenot more ability to merit their favorable Testimonies.
You have doubtless many interruptions in the prosecut" of your favorite object, but I hope youmay soon compleat it to y r Satisfact" as I know it will be to mine when you favor me withthe perusal.
If you think the fund you hint at wall at all answer I shall be glad to have it explained, and Iapprove much ofy r Intended application to Gov r Tryon, as his amiable character, and Countenanceof the Church in the Colony he lately Governed shews him to be a real friend to its Interests theorigi Intentions, (or perhaps pretences) of all Gov’ 3 in planting America seemed to have theChristianizing the Natives as a principal object. It has been declared in Charters & I believe in theGov rs Instructions, but tho’ it may have been long considered as matter of form, & Consequentlylittle regarded, It may nevertheless have a good effect, and meet with more serious attention underthe administration of a Gent already disposed to the Interests of the Church.
I cannot at present certainly inform you whether the Bishop of Quebec can ordain Missionaries ,&c, tho’ 1 believe he can, but I imagine if so, that they are not to be Jesuites that order being somuch discountenanced in most of the Romish States, and Secretly disliked by the Clergy of thatdenominant" from the superiority of their Influence, over the Great of that Church.